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Sunderland’s perfect Jobe replacement? Meet the £10m wonderkid whose stats stack up amid transfer talk
Lennon Miller Emerges as Sunderland Target After Jobe Exit — And the Stats Reveal Why
With Jobe Bellingham officially joining Borussia Dortmund, Sunderland are now searching for a new midfield presence to fill the void. One name quickly gaining traction is Lennon Miller — the 18-year-old standout from Motherwell — who has reportedly caught the eye of Sunderland’s recruitment team, potentially commanding a £10 million fee this summer.
While direct comparisons between Miller and Bellingham may seem early, a deeper look at their performances last season reveals why Sunderland see the young Scot as a serious option.
Different Styles, Similar Impact
Both midfielders delivered strong statistical returns in 2024–25, though in contrasting ways. Jobe played significantly more minutes (3,507 vs. Miller’s 2,803), yet Miller managed to outshine him in several creative areas.
Miller recorded eight assists compared to Jobe’s three, and led in key attacking metrics such as expected assists (5.58 vs. 2.45), chances created (50 vs. 47), and final-third passes completed. While Jobe had more total passes and a higher completion rate (86.1% vs. 72.1%), Miller’s data suggests he operated more in high-risk, high-reward zones.
Attacking Output: Promise from Miller
When it comes to goal scoring, Jobe led with four goals to Miller’s two. Still, both registered similar expected goal numbers (Miller at 3.84, Jobe at 3.14), and their shooting stats were closely matched, with Jobe only slightly ahead in total shots (52 vs. 46) and shots on target (9 vs. 8). While Jobe may have a slight edge in finishing, Miller’s underlying numbers hint at untapped attacking potential — especially given his age.
Defensive Contributions: Balanced but Different
Defensively, Jobe had more tackles (41 to Miller’s 38), more total duels won (236 vs. 182), and was notably stronger in the air (69 aerial duels won vs. 42).
However, Miller excelled in interceptions, recording 43 to Jobe’s 30, and the two were nearly identical in duel success rate (52.9% for Miller, 51.6% for Jobe), indicating comparable physical presence but differing approaches.
Notably, Miller has shown versatility in midfield roles, having played both as a holding No.6 and a more advanced No.8 — a trait that could align well with new Sunderland boss Régis Le Bris’s tactical flexibility.
Composure and Discipline a Plus for Miller
One area where Miller stands out is ball retention. He was dispossessed just 26 times across the season — less than half of Jobe’s total (57).
He also won more fouls (70 vs. 59), received fewer yellow cards (four to Jobe’s ten), and avoided any red cards, unlike Jobe.
This composure and discipline could make Miller an ideal candidate to anchor Sunderland’s midfield in the Premier League.
A Different Solution to Replace Jobe
Jobe Bellingham brought dynamism, defensive energy, and drive to Sunderland’s midfield last season — all instrumental in the club’s promotion push.
But in Lennon Miller, Sunderland may find a different kind of player: one who offers creativity, control, and tactical intelligence.
While he may not yet possess Jobe’s physical dominance or explosiveness, Miller’s maturity in possession and potential for growth could make him a valuable long-term asset.
If Sunderland are prepared to meet the reported £10 million asking price, they might just be securing a midfield linchpin for years to come.
